NIC-10 Soccer Preview: Auburn looks to keep climbing

ROCKFORD — Led by all-conference midfielder Emily Valentine, the Auburn girls soccer team had one of its best seasons ever last year.

The Knights finished 7-4-1 and took fifth in the NIC-10 with a notable win over Belvidere North.

The high scoring Valentine led the team with 17 goals and eight assists, while Melissa Rubio tallied six goals and six assists.

Valentine was one of several key freshmen that spearheaded the change for the Knights last season.

“It was a good year for us,” Valentine said. “It was great to be a part of helping our team regroup and get better.”

Auburn coach Joe Downin is expecting more of the same with this year’s group.

“This is one of my favorite teams,” Downin said. “So far at practices, I have between 35 to 40 girls out and they are all working super hard. They are showing up for training and looking good.”

Downin has made some notable changes on defense with the junior Rubio switching from forward to defense. It will add depth to the back with sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Jones returning. She had 48 saves last year.

“We really want to concentrate on playing better on defense,” Downin said.

Boylan, the defending conference champion, and Harlem, which finished tied for second last season, are getting the early nods as favorites for the conference title. The Knights would like to continue their climb.

“The ladies got a taste of winning last year and they liked it,” Downin said. “This year, will be tougher, and it will be fun to see if we are up to the challenge.”